This photograph is a mistake. The photographer accidentally printed in on the wrong side of the paper. Yet the serendipity of it is marvelous. If he had not told me why it looks this way I would have no idea. But I like it. 

One time when John was preparing a sermon on Overcoming Discouragement he accidentally deleted it minutes before the prelude. He was especially present that morning, with his message about forging ahead despite the obstacles. 

Having a son with autism was not my plan. I expected to have children with no glaring issues, or emotional turmoil. But the ways he has stretched us to exercise compassion has blessed us. Maybe perfect kids would not have demanded that of me. 

The trouble with making plans is that sometimes my scope for imagination is finite. Come to think of it, it always is. But fortunately mistakes sometimes insert themselves into an otherwise finely tuned agenda.